Name research is fascinating. And for every "rule" we come up with, there seem to be just as many exceptions. It really does seem that the later in time we get (closer to the modern era), the less the "rules" apply. And every culture/religion had their own way of doing things. Of course, we're doing research in the melting pot, so we have to try to figure out all of the different ways. ;>) Ginni Morgan >>> Sandra Ferguson <[email protected]> 4/6/09 12:46 PM >>> Sometimes 'what's in a name' may be the difference in finding ancestors or not. In my own family, my only clue to Joseph Smith's origins was in the census, where he was said to have been born in Pa....but, where does one start looking for a Joseph Smith born in the 1700s, in some unknown place in PA?....... Later, I decided that his sons had somewhat unusual names....Alexander Finley Smith and Andrew Duncan Smith... I theorized that these boys were named for specific men...so, I researched for those men and not the Smiths..... I found them both is a Presbyterian congregation in York Co, Pa, and there were the Smiths, AND the family of Joseph's wife, Roseanne Baxter, all their baptism & marriage dates, etc. So, while not named for family members, their names were extremely important to me, as a researcher. (the 3rd son was named Ferdinand Spangler Smith...boy, how'd you like to get stuck with THAT one! I did find the original Ferdinand in the area, but not in the! same church...so, a friend? a neighbor? Some close, albeit it NOT a family tie.) S. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication with its contents may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review, use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable laws including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communication.